Mrs. Ida Rose (Potenza) DeCarlo

Mrs. Ida Rose (Potenza) DeCarlo, formerly of Utica and currently of Sewickley, PA, was reunited with her cherished husband, Peter A. DeCarlo, Sr. when she passed away on Sunday, August 19, 2012 just two months shy of her 100th birthday. Her passing occurred in her daughter’s home in Sewickley where Ida had resided for the past 25 years since she relocated there from Utica. Ida was born Agata Rose, named after her paternal grandmother, on October 23, 1912. She was the eldest of nine children born to the late Vito and Sarafina (Dell’Erba) Potenza. She spent her childhood in her birthplace of Century, West Virginia, a small coal mining town where her father worked hard to provide for his family. She was proud of the fact that she was a coal miner’s daughter and she came from hardworking Italian immigrant parents. In 1921 the Potenza family relocated to Utica where Ida attended Wetmore School and received her primary education and where she also worked in her later years. She was married to Peter A. DeCarlo, Sr. for nearly 45 years prior to his passing on April 23, 1977; Ida and Peter were blessed with a wonderful, complete life together and were each other’s one true love. As soul mates, they were bound, and Peter would often embarrass Ida by telling others that he placed his wife on a pedestal. During her early working years, at the age of 15, Ida was employed at the Ft. Schuyler Knitting Mill and later at the Augusta Knitting Mill in Whitesboro. Subsequently, she accepted a position in the Utica City School District Food Service Department where she worked at Wetmore School and then at the Central Kitchen taking care of the children of the city and retiring at the age of 70 after serving for 30 years. Ida was selfless, always giving and caring for her family, friends, and those in her circle of life. She was a quiet, hardworking soul who radiated class and grace. As the matriarch of her family, she set a true example by leading her loved ones through both tranquil and trying times. During her life, she loved fashion which showed in her meticulous appearance and modern attire. She was involved in the Parents/Teachers Association, baking and planning for bake sales and fundraisers. She also gave of her time and talent to wash and iron the sacred altar cloths at her home parish, the old St. Anthony of Padua Church. Ida is survived by her daughter, Joyce Cortese of Sewickley, PA. Always cherished in her heart was the memory of those who went before her, including her daughter, Elaine Mancini, her son, Peter A. DeCarlo, Jr., and her son-in-law, Joseph A. Cortese. She also leaves her son-in-law, Peter Mancini; her 12 grandchildren, Linda Mancini, Joy Morreale, Maryanne Mancini, Ellen and Ben Alavi; Peter, Mark, and Jon DeCarlo; Vito and Rebecca Cortese, Joelle and Charles Monroe, Maria Leina Cortese and Judy Harden, Bernadette and Bradley Kraushaar, and Kara and John McCracken; and her 19 great-grandchildren all of whom she loved dearly and individually. In addition, she leaves her siblings, Catherine “Kate” Graziadei, John Potenza, and Mary and Sebastian “Buster” DeCesare, all of Utica; her nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, cousins, and sister-in-law Josephine “Jody” Potenza. She was predeceased by her brothers and sisters-in-law, Stephen and Mary Potenza, Abbate “Pat” Potenza, Dominick and Ann Potenza, and Antoinette Pandolf; her sisters and brothers-in-law, Palma “Polly” and Raymond Zangrilli, Rose and Joseph Fiore, Nancy Potenza and Rocco Graziadei; and members of the DeCarlo family. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Ida’s funeral service and Celebration of Life which will commence on Saturday morning, October 27th, at 9:30 at St. Anthony & St. Agnes Church where her Mass of Christian Burial will be offered. The family will receive visitors at the conclusion of Mass. Expressions of sympathy in the form of donations may be made in her name to the Sewickley Public Library, 500 Thorn Street, Sewickley, PA 15143, or Forbes Hospice, 115 South Neville Street, Pittsburg, PA 15213. Committal Prayers and interment will take place graveside at Calvary Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave.

Mrs. Ida Rose (Potenza) DeCarlo

October 23, 1912 - August 19, 2012